Staff were friendly and helpful, didn’t speak a lot of English, but spoke fluent Japanese. Rooms were clean and spacious (bed in the single room was actually a semi-double bed). Location was great, about 5 minutes walk from the ferry terminal, and a 10 minute walk to the main train station. Fantastic and cheap Korean Barbeque restaurant up the road (ask the staff). Free internet and breakfast were a great plus.
Reviews
Tetsunabe Gyoza Restaurant (Fukuoka, Japan)
Well known in Fukuoka as the best gyoza restaurant in the area, this family owned and run restaurant serves the best dumplings I’ve ever eaten. Walk in, and you will be asked “How many people”. Indicate with your fingers how many people you have in your party and you’ll be lead to a table. Not much English is spoken here, but the staff knew to point to the picture of gyoza on the menu, there are plenty of other dining options too. If you order gyoza, you will be provided with a small dish to mix your own gyoza sauce – there is a squirty bottle of standard dumpling sauce, a small bottle of chili oil, a small dish of yuzu paste and a small dish of chili paste. Mix up your desired sauce, tasting as you go. I highly recomend the yuzu (an Asian sour citrus fruit) sauce, it adds an extra omph! to the meal.
- ぎょうざ (Gyoza) – these small fried dumplings are amazing. Come as a serve of 8, the staff recommend two serves per person if you’re not getting anything else, 470 JPY per serve.
- ポテトサラダ (Potato Salad) – one of the other main dishes, 520 JPY
- 手羽先の煮 (Chicken Wings) – another popular dish, 310 JPY per piece
- 令やしトマト (Cold Tomato) – a delicious dish of cold, slightly salted tomato and cabbage
- おきゅうと
- もろきゅう
Fukiya Okonomiyaki Restaurant (Fukuoka, Japan)
This cute restaurant is tucked in the corner of the restaurant floor of the Fukuoka Bus Centre. Walk in, and you will be asked “How many people”. Indicate with your fingers how many people you have in your party and you’ll be lead to a table. The waitress will then place a “menu” on your table – a receipt type piece of paper that lists everything in Japanese. Look below for translations (but be aware that the copy in the restaurant is purely Japanese!). Point to what you want, and they’ll start cooking it. You can watch your dinner being cooked over at the grill. If you order okonomiyaki, it will be bought to your table already cut into squares. Top with your preferred amount of okonomiyaki sauce and mayonnaise, and dig in!
No English is spoken here, but everyone is really friendly, the food is fabulous and cheap, and you can get a drink with your meal, perfect.
Name | Price | Name | Price | |
デラックス (Delux) | 1,100 JPY | 焼きそば (Yaki Soba) | 550 JPY | |
ミックス (Mix) | 850 JPY | “大盛 (large serve) | 650 JPY | |
肉玉子 (Meat/Egg) | 600 JPY | 焼きうどん (Yaki Udon) | 550 JPY | |
イカ玉子 (Squid/Egg) | 600 JPY | “大盛 (large serve) | 650 JPY | |
エビ玉子 (Prawn/Egg) | 600 JPY | 焼きめし (Fried Rice) | 550 JPY | |
チーズ玉子 (Cheese/Egg) | 600 JPY | “大盛 (large serve) | 650 JPY | |
コーン玉子 (Corn/Egg) | 600 JPY | 肉野菜いため (Stir Fry) | 550 JPY | |
肉 (Meat) | 550 JPY | “大盛 (large serve) | 650 JPY | |
イカ (Squid) | 550 JPY | 御飯(小) (Small Rice) | 550 | |
エビ (Prawn) | 550 JPY | ビール(中)(Beer) | 500 JPY | |
チーズ (Cheese) | 550 JPY | コーラ (Coke) | 200 JPY | |
コーン (Corn) | 550 JPY | オレンジ (Orange Juice) | 200 JPY | |
玉子 (Egg) | 450 JPY | ジンジャエール (Gingerale) | 200 JPY | |
ヤサイ (Vegetable) | 400 JPY |
J-Hoppers Hiroshima Trad Guesthouse (Hiroshima, Japan)
We found the staff at the hostel to be very friendly, and willing to help us find our way around. The hostel was very close to the peace park, tram stops etc. The twin that we stayed in was a traditional Japanese room (tatami mats, futons etc). Plenty of food options nearby as well, including a great place that does Hiroshima okonomiyaki (the staff at the hostel directed us to it).
Bubba Gump (Manila, The Philippines)
Having never been to a Bubba Gump in the US, the experience was unique in Manila – a family restaurant setup, fully decked out with Forrest Gump merchandise, quotes, pictures etc. Prices were ok, drinks were great value and tasty, food was unique and clever, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch here. The way to grab waiters attention is unique – a little license plate sitting on your table, flip it to “Stop Forrest Stop” to call their attention, and “Run Forrest Run” if things are okay.
- “I’m Stuffed!” Shrimp – large prawns, stuffed with a creamy crab mix, served on rice, 585 PHP per serve.
- Sparklin’ Apple Cobbler – huge apple pie, delicious, 340 PHP
- Plantation Punch – large alcoholic citrus based cocktail, 205 PHP